Chapter 87 : Great Salon Party

[Shirahana Yuki Gallery]

[General] [Ah, is this the world?]

(Love-realizing actor Kang Suhyun gif)

The appearance is just like a live-action version of their avatar

(Nanoka Graduation Live Highlight gif)

Became a huge success as a VTuber, also sang while ᄊᄉᄐᄎ

(Moving Yui and Haru gifs)

Draws well ᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏ Is this a VTuber?

[Comments]

[Really, the entertainment and art industries lost a genius…]

[The world is really ᄌᄂ unfair haha I only want one, but they’re giving three to one person]

[If you have no individuality, I hope you have it in your next life while diving from the rooftop!]

[General] [Where’s the bastard who called Nanoka a corpse?]

(Really pissed off-looking Yuki’s distorted photo)

Come out, you bastard

Did I not say I’m Nanoka???

[Comments]

[It’s still not certain, right?

・What the hell, the voice sounds exactly the same

Must’ve had vocal cord surgery. How the hell did old fans handle them…

• Bastard

・So just leave already

• Bastards!!!

[General] [So, who is Kang Su-hyun?]

(Gif of Su-hyun smiling brightly among cherry blossoms)

(Gif of Su-hyun shouting while glaring sharply)

Is this ultra-beautiful girl really that insignificant Yuki?

[Comments]

[Looks exactly like the avatar hahaha]

[Did they intend to hide that?]

[No, it’s live-action level, how did I not notice?]

“Ha…”

Holding the phone in my hand, I muttered while messing up my hair.

“Why is everything so noisy…?”

It’s all because Yuki and Nanoka are so similar.

Well, I guess it can’t be helped since they’re the same person.

“Sigh…”

I just wanted to live quietly.

Things became more chaotic than when I was active as Nanoka.

Did trying to hide it make things worse?

“So now, what should I do?”

[What should you do? You have to settle this in a single meeting.]

Ahyeon’s voice, mixed with a sigh, came through the phone.

Right. She’s right. I came to Japan to settle things with HanaLive…

“Why is it so cold here!?”

[Didn’t I tell you not to go with just a short-sleeve shirt?]

“No, I didn’t know Japan would be this cold at this time! Who would think the temperature would drop this much?”

I hugged my body tightly with one hand holding the phone. Despite being in a hotel room, the cold wind coming through the window made me shiver.

[Ha… That’s why I kept telling you to pack extra clothes since yesterday. Why didn’t you listen?]

Ahyeon sighed deeply. To think a sigh could feel this vivid, Ahyeon’s nagging power truly is world-class.

“No, I thought I’d be going for a short trip! I thought I’d land at the airport, have the meeting, and return right away, a business-like and neat schedule!”

[Looking at the situation, it’s not neat at all, is it?]

“Ugh…”

I tried to argue, but had no words to say. As Ahyeon said, it was far from a neat schedule.

Right now, in this hotel room in Tokyo, I was overwhelmed with unnecessary tension and stress.

The thing I worried most about while working as a VTuber was hiding traces of Nanoka completely. But now, that too had fallen apart.

HanaLive, who had ignored my discomfort, had finally suggested we meet face-to-face to reconsider our relationship.

That’s why I hastily took a flight here…

[Mom, are you okay? What did HanaLive say?]

Ahyeon’s worried voice came through the phone again.

“I don’t know yet since the meeting hasn’t happened, but… I think they’ll try to wrap things up nicely.”

[Do you think so? I feel uneasy…]

Ahyeon muttered with concern. I couldn’t just say everything would be fine since I understood her feelings too.

“Anyway, I’ll meet them today and settle everything clearly. If this continues, the fans will get tired, and I’ll be stressed.”

I said that while straightening my shoulders, trying to act confident. But the reality was…

“Ah, it’s really cold. How am I supposed to go out later?”

[Mom, just go to a convenience store and buy some clothes. If you catch a cold, it’ll be worse.]

Ahyeon’s stern voice made me nod.

“Okay, I’ll go. I’m leaving now.”

[Take care. Contact me as soon as you return.]

“Okay. As expected, Ahyeon is the best.”

[Stop saying that. Hurry up and go.]

I chuckled and ended the call.

I opened the hotel room door and stepped into the hallway. The cold air pricked my skin. It felt like such a big deal even though I was just here for a short time.

“Well… let’s meet them first.”

The appointment time was approaching.

I made that resolution and headed for the hotel lobby.

As evening approached, Tokyo was bustling with people.

The city was filled with bright neon signs and lively crowds, but I had no leisure to enjoy it.

“…This should be the place?”

An Omakase restaurant where only two people could enter privately.

I had heard it was popular among the rich because only the artisan and the customer could hear the conversation…

But why is it so popular? Isn’t the artisan’s ear, just an ear?

I stood in front of the door and slowly looked over the exterior of the shop.

For a shop located in the heart of Tokyo, it was incredibly quiet and calm.

There were no flashy signs, no large boards—just a small, old-fashioned wooden sign indicating that this was a restaurant.

Still, if someone from Hanalive made the reservation, they must want to have a serious conversation.

I took a light breath and slowly opened the sliding door.

Srrk.

As the door opened, warm and soft lighting spilled out from inside.

A calm, subtle scent of wood filled the space, and the surprisingly comfortable atmosphere slightly eased my nerves.

“Welcome.”

With a soft and refined voice, the chef greeted me. As expected, there were only three people inside the shop.

The chef behind the bar table, and in front of him—smiling at me—

“I’ve been waiting for you, Yuki.”

It was Yuzuki Reina, the representative of Hanalive.

“…Eh.”

For a moment, I froze in surprise.

I never imagined the representative herself would come, not just some company staff.

Trying to hide my flustered expression, I bowed lightly in greeting.

“Hello, Reina. I’m sorry for making you wait.”

“No, it’s okay. I just arrived early.”

Reina smiled brightly and elegantly as she offered me a seat.

She had a much more relaxed and gentle demeanor than I had imagined.

I thought a company rep would be more formal and distant, but facing her in person, my tension began to ease.

“Is this your first time trying omakase, Yuki?”

“Yes, honestly, it’s my first time at a place like this… I’m a little nervous.”

When I gave an awkward smile, Reina smiled playfully.

“Don’t worry. I was nervous at first, too. But the chef here is more cheerful than you’d expect, so you’ll feel comfortable soon.”

The chef gave a small smile and bowed.

“Please relax and enjoy without any pressure.”

I felt slightly relieved by his words and took my seat. The chef began preparing the dishes with skillful hands, and a calm silence filled the shop once again.

Reina paused for a moment and looked at me.

Her gaze remained gentle and kind, but there was something unreadable and deep in her eyes.

“You were surprised that I asked to meet you like this, right?”

I nodded honestly.

“A little. I didn’t expect you to come out personally.”

“It’s an important matter.”

Reina continued gently.

“As you probably already know, this is about the recent buzz online involving Shirahana Yuki and Nanoka.”

I swallowed nervously.

“There’s been a lot of internal discussion about it at our company. Of course… internally, we already knew that you were Nanoka before.”

“…Yes, I figured as much.”

“But we’ve been wondering if it’s really right to keep hiding it. The fans are confused.”

Her words made me feel uneasy.

“So… are you planning to make an official announcement?”

Reina quietly smiled and waved her hand.

“No. Quite the opposite.”

“…The opposite?”

“Yes. Officially, we’re planning not to mention this issue at all. At least not from the company’s side.”

I felt a bit confused.

“Then… why did you want to meet me separately like this?”

Reina leaned forward slightly with a playful smile.

“To be honest, we want Yuki to be able to continue working comfortably. You’ve already built a unique character as Shirahana Yuki. We know you can succeed without revealing your past.”

I looked at her silently. I could feel that her words were sincere.

“If you want, we’re willing to let this matter go untouched. But—”

Reina narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled.

“How about you, Yuki? Do you still want to keep it hidden, or do you want to be honest with your fans?”

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Until now, I thought hiding my identity as Nanoka was the obvious choice. I believed it was best for myself and the fans.

But seeing all the recent controversies made me start to waver.

Is hiding it really the best choice?

Maybe being honest about it would be better?

I slowly opened my mouth.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. There are times when hiding it is hard… but I’m not confident revealing it would lead to good results either.”

Reina smiled and nodded softly.

“This is ultimately your decision, Yuki. The company is ready to support you no matter what you choose.”

I looked her straight in the eyes.

“Then… do I have to decide right now?”

Reina lightly laughed and waved her hand.

“No, of course not right now. Take your time. Let’s just enjoy a nice meal and talk casually today.”

The chef smiled as he presented the first beautifully plated sushi in front of me.

“Please enjoy.”

I smiled faintly and picked up the sushi, placing it in my mouth. The fresh and soft texture spread through my mouth, and my tension started to melt away.

Maybe it’s okay to take my time and think things through.

If the company president is willing to understand my feelings like this, maybe I won’t regret whatever decision I make.

“How is it? Delicious, right?”

Reina asked with a playful smile.

I smiled and nodded.

“Yes, it’s really good.”

“Right? Then let’s not worry for today and just enjoy the food. We can save the worries for later.”

At her words, I smiled again. Yeah, maybe for just today, that would be okay.

“…By the way. What about Sakura?”

One last important thing.

Just that one thing to mention.